Scientists are still exploring whether Mars was ever home to life in its past and exploring methods to extract water from its soil. To gain a better understanding of this intriguing planet, we turned to some LSU experts for insight on its many mysteries and quarries. They provided answers to some commonly-asked questions regarding Mars….
As in throwing something, satellites are launched by rocket to enter their orbit around Earth, like any object being launched from the ground. But unlike its trajectory when being released directly, their paths follow curves rather than straight paths. Satellites in high orbit offer scientists stunning pictures of our planet and solar system. At the…
Mercury orbits quickly around the Sun and scientists seeking to understand its mysteries have quickly identified a spacecraft capable of reaching it within sufficient timeframe. Slowing a spacecraft with flybys may be straightforward, but getting it to Mercury’s speed requires more complicated methods. Here’s how scientists plan to achieve their goal. Mariner 10 Chen-Wan Yen…
After several failed mission concepts, JPL and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory engineers and scientists moved ahead with New Horizons; however, its mission had several limitations that had to be taken into consideration. New Horizons only had nine minutes to take the best, most focused photos of Pluto – that’s like hitting a golf…
The Romans were an intriguing culture with incredible inventions and odd habits – from how they went to the bathroom to using mouse brains in medicine, here are 15 Roman Empire facts you may not know about! After the death of a king, power would pass to the Senate; one member–known as an interrex–would assume…
This short film showcases stunning, never-before-seen footage from NASA and the National Archives and follows Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins as they undergo a 21 day medical quarantine upon their return from space. This uplifting tribute recognizes their stoicism during an unprecedented global crisis period and leaves an inspiring message…
Record-setting weather and climate events may seem endlessly repetitive at times, yet occasionally there will be moments like an abruptly sounding cymbal that draw our attention back into focus. Temperature, or the measure of atmospheric heat or cold, is one key indicator of weather. Additionally, precipitation consists of rain, hail, sleet and snowfall – two…
Mars, located four planets from the Sun and with two moons, has a reddish hue similar to our Earth. Polar ice caps and geological features suggest it once supported life on this red-hued world. Astronomers studying Mars during the 17th and 18th centuries saw evidence of civilization on Mars, including canals that appeared to carry…
The Sun’s gravity holds together our Solar System, keeping planets, asteroids, meteoroids, as well as microscopic debris in orbit around it. At its core lies nuclear fusion processes which turn hydrogen into helium; all this heat makes up our star. This video from BBC Planet Earth series, hosted by David Attenborough. Volume Comparing planet sizes…
